Tom England, the owner of dancing Bear Toys and Gifts of 12 N. Market St., e-mailed me earlier today, sending along a information he's sent to his customers.

"Every day at Dancing Bear Toys, I get phone calls, emails, and visits from customers who are increasingly concerned about where their toys come from and how they can shop with confidence," England wrote. "I am doing the best I can to educate consumers on safety standards in the U.S. and in Europe so customers can make informed buying decisions."

So here, in full and unedited, is what he sent out:

Given all the recent turmoil in the toy industry, we wanted to share this information with you...

As soon as the lead paint/magnet crisis started to take shape, we contacted our vendors who manufacture in China. They reassured us that our products meet—and in most cases exceed—the United States ASTM and/or European Norm EN-71 child safety standards. We were relieved to hear that none of the products we carry were produced by Hong Le Da or Lee Der Industrial, the contractors responsible for lead paint in the recalled toys.

The media coverage on this issue has caused concern among parents, and rightly so. Many of you have called or stopped by to ask questions. We hope you will continue to do so! We share your concerns and are doing our best to learn as much as we can about this issue.

Several of you have expressed a hesitancy to buy anything that is made in China. This may prove challenging since roughly 80% of the toys sold in the U.S. come from China. We can, however, offer you some wonderful alternatives. As a specialty retailer, we are in a better position than the big box stores to deal with smaller, high-end toymakers—many of whom will not to sell to Wal-Mart or Toys R Us.

Many of our toys and games for children age 3 and under are produced in the U.S., Europe, or Thailand. Dancing Bear staff can help you identify these products, including those manufactured by Challenge & Fun, Channel Craft, Chelona, Haba, Keva, Lauri, Maple Landmark, Mary's Softdough, Near Nature, Plan Toys, Slinky, Uncle Goose, and Yackle Ball. In October, we'll be introducing the first-ever line of bio-plastic toys that are made from corn!

We hope this information helps to address any of your concerns about products at Dancing Bear. Please feel free to stop by, email (tom@dbeartoys.com), or call 301-631-9300 to talk more about this issue. We promise to keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Thanks as always for supporting our business -- and for wanting the very best for the children in your life.

	ON THE WEB: The Center for Environmental Health's news releases Toys "R" Us main online site, and their statement on the recall The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site for checking product recalls http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

Attorney General Doug Gansler wrote the toy-store chain asking them to suspend sale of the bibs -- sold under labels like Especially for Baby, Koala Baby, and Disney -- because of reports the items contained significant levels of lead. Stores chains nationwide are removing the bibs.

The action to recall the bibs, which were made in China and supplied by Hamco Inc. of Gonzales, La., comes amidst nationwide concern about imported Chinese products tainted with lead. This month toy maker Mattel recalled millions of Chinese-made pre-school toys, which included popular Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Big Bird, because of lead paint.

Last week, a California group, the Center for Environmental Health, sued Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart for violating state laws regulating lead levels in children's products. They welcomed news of the quick recall, which they said was prompted by their lawsuit.

"We appreciate Toys 'R' Us taking this strong action to protect children. Vinyl is a poison plastic that has no place around a baby's neck," said Charlie Pizarro, associate director of CEH, in a press release. "We hope the company disposes of the toxic bibs safely." The bibs had passed rigorous in-house tests administered under a vinyl-bib testing policy the company adheres to that are in force in California, according to a statement from Toys "R" Us.

However, an independent firm that retested the bibs found two samples that contained lead levels above the toy company's testing standards.

Toys "R" Us has increased the amount of third party testing it does on items on store shelves, the chain stated.

"The company will continue to take decisive and aggressive action in ensuring the products it sells meet only the highest quality assurance standards," the statement said.

Toys “R” Us has also agreed that consumers who purchased the bibs may return them to the stores where they were purchased and receive refunds. Toys “R” Us is also implementing a new policy regarding the amount of lead that is allowed in the products it sells. The new policy is stricter than the existing standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumers who bought the bibs can return them to the Toys “R” Us store they purchased them from for a refund.

The company will implement a new policy regarding the amount of lead allowed in products it sells. The new policy will be stricter than existing standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to the Attorney General's Office.

“I am pleased that Toys ‘R’ Us has quickly agreed to remove these potentially dangerous products from its store shelves,” Gansler said. “I encourage any consumers who purchased these vinyl bibs to stop using them at once and return them to Toys ‘R’ Us.”

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	ON THE WEB: www.chick-fil-a.com LOCATION: Chick-fil-A at Riverview Plaza, 5501 Urbana Pike, Frederick, on Md. 355, in front of Home Depot and Target

In honor of Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A 's 40th anniversary, entries are being accepted in the Riverview Plaza store in Frederick to win 52 Chick-fil-A Hand-Spun Milkshake coupons.

Also on the prize list, a Chick-fil-A themed gift-basket and a signed keepsake certificate, will be awarded to the winner during a store-wide evening celebration from 5 to 8 p.m., Sept. 12.

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	A crowd lines up for a free burrito at California Tortilla when it opened in 2005
	LOCATIONS: Frederick's California Tortilla (The Shops at Monocacy on Md. 26) 1700 Kingfisher Drive, Suite 15 Frederick, Md. 21701 Phone: 301-631-1996 Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

What's in it for the one who holds No. 5 million?

"A very exciting ceremony," according to a press release sent out by the Rockville headquartered company today, including a robe, a crown, and a free burrito each week for a year.

"To serve 5 million burritos is a tremendous feat for our company and franchise owners," said California Tortilla President Bob Phillips. "We normally focus on making one darn tasty burrito at a time. It was a great surprise to take a step back and see how many customers we have had the privilege to serve."

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Here's how they'll help:

A donation of $1 from each O'Hair signature purchase of hair and make-up products.

Donation of $5 from each Bb. treatment service (not sure what a Bb. treatment is ...).

50 percent of proceeds from the purchase of a $10 Katrina Habitat Key.

100 percent of proceeds from salon and spa package raffle tickets sold ($5 each).

100 percent proceeds from two Unlocking Hope Cut-a-thons to be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 23, in the Frederick location, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 9, in Gaithersburg.

So, if you need a coif, you can head over to the Frederick O'Hair at 6 E. Church St., and not only have your bangs snipped, but do some good too.

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	BY THE NUMBERS: Comptroller’s Office enforcement 50,392 — packs of seized contraband cigarettes $207,146 — value of confiscated cigarettes $174,898 — value of confiscated of alcohol products 359 — arrests for motor fuel violations 131 — amount arrests increased over previous year $1.4 million: amount of delinquent sales and use tax collected

Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today the results of a year of his top priority, “Vigorously enforcing the tax laws of this state and protecting honest Maryland business from the scourge of tax scofflaws.”

“Stricter enforcement of existing tax laws is one method that can help solve the structural deficit,” he said in a statement. “These results are another example of how our office is committed to making sure that all Marylanders pay their fair share of taxes.”

In recent years, the Comptroller’s Office has increased its enforcement efforts to crack down on the sale of illegal cigarettes and alcohol.

Over $1.4 million of delinquent sales and use tax was collected over the last fiscal year by the office. The money goes back to the state.

The Comptroller’s Office keeps the contraband as evidence. Once a case is adjudicated, the products are returned if a defendant is innocent, or, on a guilty verdict, sold. Money from the sales goes back into the state’s general fund.

Franchot encouraged law enforcement agencies to work with his office in enforcing laws for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and motor fuel. The Comptroller is responsible for issuing the cigarette and special cigarette licenses needed for over-the-counter cigarette sales, and has the right to reprimand, suspend or revoke licenses for improper use.

“We stand ready to work with local officials,” said John Horney, director of the Comptroller’s Field Enforcement Division. “Cooperation between agencies is the key to effective lawenforcement and Comptroller Franchot is anxious to spread the word to the law enforcement community that his office is yet another tool available to them.”

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The store, in the Westview Promenade at 5241 Buckeystown Pike, will start celebrations at noon, re-cut a ribbon at around 2:30 p.m., and continue to celebrate until 10 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Frederick community,” said co-owner Sheryl Taylor. “Our friends and neighbors have been huge supporters of this store since we took ownership earlier this summer, and today’s celebration is our small way of saying thank you and giving back.”

From the press release:

In conjunction with the event, the treatery partnered with the local Young Life chapters to raise funds to help send kids from all over the region to camp this summer. MaggieMoo’s will donate 20 percent of the day’s sales to the youth group, which has also been selling MaggieMoo’s Dream Cakes to raise funds.

Throughout the day, Miss Maryland Shana Powell and Miss Maryland Outstanding Teen Kasey Staniszewski will be joined by members of the Frederick Keys roster, Hood College President Ronald Volpe, and members of Young Life to serve up a few cones as our celebrity ice cream scoopers during this special event.

The treatery’s mascot Miss Maggie Moo will be posing for pictures with her adoring fans throughout the day along with her friend Keyote from the Keys baseball team. Other activities planned include face painting, giveaways, and other fun activities -- not to mention lots of delicious MaggieMoo’s ice cream, of course!

New Life is "a non-denominational, Christian, non-profit organization that is committed to helping adolescents grow in their faith," the release states.

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Retail

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	Photo by New York Times Middletown resident Rachel Grandi shows a copy of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" she was first in line for at a B&N in New York, when the book came out.

The Francis Scott Key Mall Barnes & Noble will be open late with an event themed around the last installment of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

From 8 p.m. on, B&N will hold a Midnight Magic Costume Party. Copies of the book go on sale at midnight.

“Barnes & Noble and B. Dalton stores nationwide will be participating in the world’s largest Harry Potter costume party in honor of the final book in this remarkable series,” said Fabby Santiago, community relations manager of Barnes & Noble at FSK Mall. “We will stay open past midnight so Harry Potter fans can be among the first to purchase a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And we’ll have lots of fun while we wait on this magical night.”

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The Midnight Magic Costume party will be held at the following store:

Barnes & Noble
Francis Scott Key Mall
5500 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
301-698-0121

Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character for a night of enchanting activities, spellbinding prizes, photo opportunities, unique items for sale, and even more magic, including face painting, make your own wand, the chance to leave a message to J.K. Rowling that will be delivered to her and much more!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will sell for $20.99, 40 percent off the list price of $34.99. Barnes & Noble Members can buy the book for $18.89, a savings of 46 percent. The compact disc and audiocassettes for the unabridged book will also be available. Customers can order the book at any Barnes & Noble or B. Dalton store or online at Barnes & Noble.com at www.bn.com/midnightmagic.

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Retail

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	ON THE WEB: Border's Harry Potter events

Nationwide book chain Borders will hold similar celebrations at its stores.

You can find out about the events here.

Locations near Frederick are here.

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I love it even more when they scoop us with something like a restaurant opening, as they did this week.

Why? Because it's civic, grassroots journalism at work.

The restaurant is Foster's Grille and it's coming to The Turning Point Center in Urbana with a grand opening mid-October or September.

This is the second location in Maryland; the other is in Edgewater. Most franchises are in Virginia, but the chain has eateries as far away as Missouri and Florida.

And check out Frederick Maryland Online if you haven't already.

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Retail

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	Book crossing on the web Scholastic Inc. on the web

From 7 p.m. to midnight July 21, the launch time for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," several Brunswick merchants will come together for a night to celebrate the teen wizard of Hogwarts.

Everyone is invited to come dressed as their favorite character. (Is Snape taken?) Apparently a similar event for the last book was a big hit.

Here's how the Polymorph Potion will be transmogrifying local stores, according to a press release from Book Crossing:

Retail

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The 257,591 square feet site has been refinanced for $22 million.

Read the story here.

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Retail

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